Posted on 02/05/2008 8:19:27 AM PST by Manfred the Wonder Dawg
Subject: Devotional "New Life" Date: Feb 5, 2008 9:11 AM 1 Peter 1:3 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,"
All praise is to be given to our God for he alone is worthy of praise. It is for sure that God has blessed us with blessing ten thousand over ten thousands of times in every aspect of our lives. God has given us air to breath, life to live, relationships, possessions, places to live, eyes to behold beauty, ears to hear the music of nature, mouths to taste the good of food that he provides, children as an heritage, churches that proclaim the truth, the ability to worship him, prayer, his Word, and etc. However, in the text before us we are reminded once again that he has given us a gift that is greater than any gift we could ever imagine. In perfect accordance with his great mercy he caused us to be born again. Wow! We should have been left in the deadness of our sins and cast into a devil's hell, but God the Father caused us to be born again. According to Scriptures definition of man we were not good, our hearts were desperately wicked, we were at enmity (hatred) with God, we had lying tongues, we did not seek God, we were worthless, we used our tongues to deceive, we had poisonous mouths, we were bitter, we were murderers, we knew no peace, and we had no fear of God. Why would God even be mindful of such wicked men? We broke his law spurned his counsel and set about to live for ourselves in direct opposition to the God of heaven. However, the wickedness of man could not override the mercy of God.
All of humanity deserved judgment, but he chose in accordance with his mercy to do that which would please him the most and that was that he would cause some to be born again as a display of his mercy and grace. Every soul that walks into heaven will testify to the mercy of God in that he saved them. Not only did he cause us to be born again, but he gave us a living hope. Peter emphasizes our living hope over against death. Just like Jesus has been raised from the dead and lives evermore so shall those who have been born again, live. Jesus will never die again and those who have been resurrected with Christ will live eternally with him. Dearly beloved, may your heart be greatly encouraged today as your reflect upon the mercy of your God. You know in your heart what you deserved, but God has been merciful and given you life. Rejoice in your great God.
Because of the truth: Pastor: J. Randall Easter II Timothy 2:19 "Our God is in heaven and does whatever He pleases."(Ps. 115:3) "He predestined us according to the good pleasure of His will."(Eph. 1:5) Those who have been saved have been saved for His glory and they are being made holy for this is the will of God. Are you being made holy? Spurgeon says, "If your religion does not make you holy it will damn you to hell."
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.